The Tigers struck first, but it was all Irish after that as St. Vincent St. Mary ran away with the 49-21 victory. D’Anthony Kelker (158 yards, 2 touchdowns) led the way for an Irish offense that ran for 344 yards on the night. After putting a scare into rival Hoban last week, the STVM defense once again rose to the occasion, this time coming away with the win.
First Half
Cleveland Heights took the opening kickoff and marched right down the field into Irish territory. On third and five from the STVM 14-yard line, John Gordon ran up the middle but, before he could cross the goal line, the ball hit the turf. Luckily for the Tigers, OL Justin Biggom was there to fall on it in the end zone and put Cleveland Heights up 7-0.
The Irish wasted no time in responding to the Tigers score. After picking up two on first down, D’Anthony Kelker exploded around the left end for a 55-yard touchdown. On their next drive, Heights chipped away at the Irish defense and crossed into STVM territory. Marquise Davis would take the ball for the Tigers, but the Irish knocked it loose, Nick Gage coming up with the recovery for STVM. At the end of the first, it was tied up 7-7.
Two plays into the second quarter, RB Santino Harper took the handoff up the middle for a 7-yard touchdown, extending the Irish lead to 14-7. After QB Darreon Fair picked up a first down, the defense rose up and forced Heights to punt.
STVM then put together a 12-play drive that took over six minutes, capped off by a 1-yard plunge from QB Markell Carter to make it 21-7 Irish. Both teams would trade punts and Heights would move the ball late, but STVM went into the half with a two-score lead.
Photo by Devin Lowe
Second Half
The Irish would receive the second half kickoff and drive deep into Tigers territory. Carter dropped back to pass on second down inside the red zone, but the pressure was too much, and John Gordon came away with the interception. Needing a score to stay in the game, Heights put together an 80-yard drive capped by an eight-yard run from Fair to make it 21-13 STVM.
As they did all night long, the Irish would respond immediately. After putting together their own 11-play drive, Carter would score his second 1-yard touchdown of the game to extend the lead to 28-13. As they did all night long, the defense forced another punt, this one only going about ten yards and setting the Irish up deep in Tigers territory.
Expecting the run, Heights loaded the box and Carter flipped it to Blake Kane for a 26-yard score as time expired in the third quarter. Trailing by 22, the Tigers bounced back five plays later with a ten-yard touchdown pass from Fair to Taewan Morris. After an Owen Brisker two-point conversion, Heights trailed 35-21.
STVM would respond yet again, this time via a 44-yard touchdown run from Kelker, his second long score of the game. The Irish defense would come away with another fumble two plays later. The very next play, Santonio Harper would break off a 48-yard run for another Irish touchdown. The defense would force another two fumbles but that was it for the scoring, as STVM came away with a 49-21 victory.
Photo by Devin Lowe
Keys to the Game
The Irish were able to rack up 344 yards rushing and had two players, Kelker and Harper, cross the 100-yard mark. While that itself is impressive, the real difference in the game proved to be the defense. Darreon Fair has been making opposing defenses look silly all year long, but STVM was able to hold him in check, for the most part. While Fair ran for 118, the Irish defense were able to limit the big plays and come away with four turnovers.
Though they lost by four scores, Cleveland Heights is no slouch. The triple option has given defenses headaches all season long and will going forward into the playoffs. If the Tigers are able to limit turnovers and penalties, they’ll be a very tough out.
Next Week
The loss is Cleveland Heights first of the season and drops them to 8-1. Next week, they play host to Shaker Heights (3-5). According to JoeEitel.com, the Tigers currently hold the #5 seed in Region 1 and are in position to host a playoff game.
STVM will have little time to celebrate their victory as their three-game gauntlet continues next week with a trip to Walsh Jesuit (7-2). With the win, the Irish move into the #5 seed in Region 5 and would be in position to host a playoff game, according to JoeEitel.com.
Top Performers
Cleveland Heights
Darreon Fair: 4-8 19 yards 1 touchdown 16 carries 118 yards 1 touchdown
Owen Bisker: 19 carries 89 yards 1 touchdown
John Gordon: 4 carries 56 yards 1 catch 10 yards 1 touchdown
St. Vincent St. Mary
Markell Carter: 4-7 81 yards 1 touchdown 1 interception 5 carries 22 yards 2 touchdowns
D’Anthony Kelker: 16 carries 158 yards 2 touchdowns
Santino Harper: 15 carries 124 yards 2 touchdowns
Scoring Summary
1st Quarter
Heights 7:03- Justin Biggom, fumble recovery (Gabe McKay kick good)
STVM 6:07- D’Anthony Kelker, 55-yard run (Nick Bertolini kick good)
2nd Quarter
STVM 11:30- Santino Harper, 7-yard run (Bertolini kick good)
STVM 4:44- Markell Carter, 1-yard run (Bertolini kick good)
3rd Quarter
Heights 7:11- Darreon Fair, 8-yard run (kick blocked)
STVM 2:11- Markell Carter, 1-yard run (Bertolini kick good)
STVM 0:00- Markell Carter to Blake Kane, 26 yards (Bertolini kick good)
4th Quarter
Heights 10:27- Darreon Fair to Taewan Morris, 10 yards (Bisker 2pt good)
STVM 8:50- D’Anthony Kelker, 44-yard run (Bertolini kick good)
STVM 8:00- Santino Harper, 48-yard run (Bertolini kick good)
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | FINAL | |
| HEIGHTS | 7 | 0 | 6 | 8 | 21 |
| STVM | 7 | 14 | 21 | 14 | 49
|
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